The playgroup lessons are now up on our website! To access them, visit http://www.unitedwayuc.org/welcomebaby/playgroups.php. There are 52 lessons, one for each week of the year, under the heading, "PLAY, LEARN, and THRIVE: Ages 1-5." We are also working on holiday lessons which can be substituted in as desired. Those should be posted within the next couple of weeks.
We will also continue to work on playgroup lessons for mothers, which are especially helpful in the first year of the baby's life, and consist of lessons such as carseat safety, teething, and infant massage. 23 of these lessons are currently posted on the website under the heading, "FIRST YEAR PLAYGROUP CURRICULUM."
Feel free to contact us if you would like help setting up a playgroup!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Play dough Elephant
Did you know that play dough is a great toy to encourage children development? They have a fun time squeezing, squashing, and pushing the interesting dough. What is even more exciting is that there is no need to spend a lot of money on this great toy. Here is a recipe for home made play dough for parents to use!
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
2 tsp. cream of tartar
2 Tbs cooking oil
Food coloring
Stir all the ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan. Then, knead the warm dough and store in a plastic bag. After the mixture cools, let the kids play!
One fun activity that parents can do with their children is to encourage them to make different shapes. A child's first three shapes are usually snake, ball, and pancake shapes. Try making an elephant with just these three shapes. Start with two balls, one for the head and one for the body. Next, make two pancake shapes to make the ears. Next, make two snake shapes for the trunk and the tail. Finally, make four fat snakes for the legs. Put them all together and you get this!
See how many animals or objects you can make out of play dough with those three shapes. Have fun teaching your child about texture, animals, and play!
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
2 tsp. cream of tartar
2 Tbs cooking oil
Food coloring
Stir all the ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan. Then, knead the warm dough and store in a plastic bag. After the mixture cools, let the kids play!
One fun activity that parents can do with their children is to encourage them to make different shapes. A child's first three shapes are usually snake, ball, and pancake shapes. Try making an elephant with just these three shapes. Start with two balls, one for the head and one for the body. Next, make two pancake shapes to make the ears. Next, make two snake shapes for the trunk and the tail. Finally, make four fat snakes for the legs. Put them all together and you get this!
See how many animals or objects you can make out of play dough with those three shapes. Have fun teaching your child about texture, animals, and play!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Great news!
Welcome Baby's Playgroup Lessons are now available on a CD!
To receive a copy by mail, please contact the Welcome Baby office. Our contact information can be found on Welcome Baby's website.
To receive a copy by mail, please contact the Welcome Baby office. Our contact information can be found on Welcome Baby's website.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Freedom Festival Baby Contest
Welcome Baby attended the Freedom Festival Baby contest! The babies were dressed up to go along with the freedom theme, and they were able to play in a room with many toys that facilitate development, such as a bubble wrap mat and a parachute. We were able to present about playgroups. The playgroup curriculum can be found on our website.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Fun Summer Activities for the Family!
Summer is here and there are lots of ways to enjoy the sunny weather in Utah! Here are some ideas for you and your family to enjoy. Don't forget to wear your sunscreen!
The Hogle Zoo
Information on hours and admissions can be found here.
The Timpanogos Caves
This is a 1.5 mile hike on a paved trail. However, the trail climbs about 1,000 feet. For this reason strollers are not allowed. Information about cave tours and park admission prices can be found here.
Thanksgiving Point-Farm Country
This is an inexpensive way to give your children experience with life on the farm! It is only $3.50 a person, with children two and under getting in for FREE! More information can be found here.
Movies in the Park
This is a FREE event every Monday night in August starting at 9:00 pm. Movies are shown on a huge 25 ft. screen! Just bring a blanket, some pillows, bug repellent, and some popcorn! Here are the dates of the movies:
• August 3 – The Man Who Knew Too Much
• August 10 – Ten Little Indians
• August 17 – Arsenic and Old Lace
• August 24 – The Shaggy Dog
• August 31 – The Absent-Minded Professor
This event is held at Rock Canyon Park in Provo, Utah.
Pioneer Day Extravaganza
On Friday, July 24, 2009 from 10 am to 2 pm at North Park (500 North 500 West in Provo) there will be a celebration of Utah's roots! Come enjoy food, games, music, a wild west show and more! For more information please call 801-852-7635.
Visit your neighborhood park!
Here are some parks in the valley that sound like fun!
Provo: Visit this website for information on parks and recreation in Provo
Lehi: Click here for information on Lehi City Parks
American Fork: Information on parks in American Fork can be found by clicking here.
Springville: Click here for information on parks and recreation activities in Springville this summer.
Spanish Fork: This website provides information on park reservations and recreation activities in Spanish Fork.
Payson: You can find information on Payson City Parks and Recreation here.
For more Summer Activities, take a look at the Child Care Resource and Referral Center's Summer Activity Guide
The Hogle Zoo
Information on hours and admissions can be found here.
The Timpanogos Caves
This is a 1.5 mile hike on a paved trail. However, the trail climbs about 1,000 feet. For this reason strollers are not allowed. Information about cave tours and park admission prices can be found here.
Thanksgiving Point-Farm Country
This is an inexpensive way to give your children experience with life on the farm! It is only $3.50 a person, with children two and under getting in for FREE! More information can be found here.
Movies in the Park
This is a FREE event every Monday night in August starting at 9:00 pm. Movies are shown on a huge 25 ft. screen! Just bring a blanket, some pillows, bug repellent, and some popcorn! Here are the dates of the movies:
• August 3 – The Man Who Knew Too Much
• August 10 – Ten Little Indians
• August 17 – Arsenic and Old Lace
• August 24 – The Shaggy Dog
• August 31 – The Absent-Minded Professor
This event is held at Rock Canyon Park in Provo, Utah.
Pioneer Day Extravaganza
On Friday, July 24, 2009 from 10 am to 2 pm at North Park (500 North 500 West in Provo) there will be a celebration of Utah's roots! Come enjoy food, games, music, a wild west show and more! For more information please call 801-852-7635.
Visit your neighborhood park!
Here are some parks in the valley that sound like fun!
Provo: Visit this website for information on parks and recreation in Provo
Lehi: Click here for information on Lehi City Parks
American Fork: Information on parks in American Fork can be found by clicking here.
Springville: Click here for information on parks and recreation activities in Springville this summer.
Spanish Fork: This website provides information on park reservations and recreation activities in Spanish Fork.
Payson: You can find information on Payson City Parks and Recreation here.
For more Summer Activities, take a look at the Child Care Resource and Referral Center's Summer Activity Guide